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Gladiolus Planting & Growing Guide
With elegant, 2- to 5-foot flower spikes and orchid-like blooms, you can't go wrong with these easy-to-grow beauties! The bright blooms are available in countless brilliant colors, ranging from white, yellow, orange, pink, and lavender to rose, burgundy, purple, green, or even bi-color! The radiant spikes, which begin to bloom in late summer, require minimal ground space and make exceptionally long-lasting cut flowers. Learn more about growing and caring for these towering spires with this easy-as-pie guide!
Success Snapshot
PLANTING
DEPTH
3-4" (Glad nanus), 4-6" (Glad hortulanus)
WATER
QUANTITY
Moderate
SUNLIGHT
QUANTITY
Full Sun
PLANTING
PROXIMITY
4-5" Apart (Glad nanus), 5-6" Apart (Glad hortulanus)
BLOOM
SEASON
Spring to Early Summer
HARDINESS
ZONES
Zones 5-11 (Glad nanus), Zones 8-10 (Glad hortulanus)
Shop Related Products
Gladiolus - Nanus Hardy Easy to Grow Mix
$17.95
Contains: 30 Gladiolus bulbs, mixed
Botanical Name: Gladiolus
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-11
Gladiolus - Union Jack
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Union Jack'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Pink Lightning
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Pink Lightning'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Bambinos Mix (Dwarf)
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs, mixed
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus Mix
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - First Blood
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'First Blood'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Pink Pearl
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Pink Pearl'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Arcadia
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Arcadia'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Adrenalin
$7.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Adrenalin'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Apricot Bubblegum
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Apricot Bubblegum'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Matrix
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Matrix'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Ravel
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Ravel'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Venezia
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Venezia'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Artistic Arrangers Mix
$24.95
Contains: 40 Gladiolus bulbs, mixed colors
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus mix
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Green Star
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Green Flash'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Pura Vida
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Pura Vida'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Morning Gold
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Morning Gold'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Milka
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Milka'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Circus Color
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Circus Color'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Purple Flora
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Purple Flora'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Summer Days Collection
$24.95
Contains: 30 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus mix
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Clear Skies Collection
$24.95
Contains: 30 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus Mix
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Pastel Lace Collection
$24.95
Contains: 30 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus mix
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Very Berry Collection
$24.95
Contains: 30 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus Mix
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Chemistry
$11.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus 'Chemistry'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Green, Purple & White Collection
$24.95
Contains: 30 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus mix
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Berries & Cream Collection
$24.95
Contains: 30 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus mix
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Gladiolus - Charm
$4.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus tubergenii 'Charm'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-10
Gladiolus - Galaxian
$4.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus nanus 'Galaxian'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-11
Gladiolus - Las Vegas
$4.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus primulinus 'Las Vegas'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-11
Gladiolus - The Bride
$3.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x colvillei 'The Bride', x colvillii 'Albus'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-10
Gladiolus - Charming Lady
$3.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus tubergenii 'Charming Lady'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-10
Gladiolus - Nathalie
$4.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus nanus 'Nathalie'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-11
Gladiolus - Prins Claus
$4.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus nanus 'Prins Claus'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-11
Gladiolus - Volcano
$4.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus ramosus 'Vulcano'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-11
Gladiolus - Atom
$4.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus primulinus 'Atom'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-10
Gladiolus - Impressive
$4.95
Contains: 10 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus nanus 'Impressive'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-11
Gladiolus - Sunset Collection
$24.95
Contains: 30 Gladiolus bulbs
Botanical Name: Gladiolus x hortulanus mix
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Where to Plant
Whether you're planting in containers or garden beds, Gladiolus perform best in locations where the soil drains well and they will receive full sun. They will not thrive in soggy soil or standing water, so if you notice water puddles 5β6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site.
When to Plant
Plant your Gladiolus bulbs roughly two weeks before the last expected spring frost. You can expect blooms to appear 70 to 90 days later, and for a continual spectacle of color, stagger the planting every two weeks until early summer.
How to Plant
- For container planting, start with a large container with drainage holes and fill it with good quality, well-drained potting soil. Place your container where the Glads will receive full sunlight. Dig holes and plant the bulbs 4β6" deep and about 4β6" apart with the flattened side down and the growing point facing up.
- For outdoor landscape planting, find a location where there is plenty of sunlight and the soil drains well, as Glads will not survive in standing water. Dig holes and plant the bulbs 4β6" deep and about 4β6" apart with the flattened side down and the growing point facing up.
- Water thoroughly after planting to soak the soil and settle it around the large bulbs.
How to Grow
- Water periodically during the growing season if rain does not occur, keeping in mind that weekly deep waterings are better than lighter drinks every day or two. About 1" of water per week is a good estimate of the amount needed during active growth periods.
- Leave the foliage in place at the end of the blooming season rather than trim it off. The leaves will gather sunlight to create food through photosynthesis, strengthening the bulbs for the future.
- Remove the leaves and stalks when they turn yellow and die back as the plant slips into dormancy.
Gladiolus Tips & Tricks
- Feel free to cut a few stems while in bloom for stunning bouquets. If you'd like to include foliage in your arrangements, cut sparingly as these leaves are needed to nourish the bulb for next year's show.
- Group in clusters of ten or more when planting for a spectacular display of brilliant color.
- Plant your Glads at two-week intervals to extend the blooming season.